Bicycle-canopy



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. M. McDONALD.

BICYCLE CANOPY.

No. 601,977. 4 Patented Apr. 5,1898.

Inventor Witnesses aw BY 71/18 Attorneys.

TNE NORRIS Perms itm'mm'om'nu, WASNINGTON n (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' C. M. MCDONALD.

BICYCLE CANOPY. No. 601,977. Patented Apr. 5,1898.

UNTTED STA ES PATENT FFIGE.

BICYCLE-GANG PY.

SPECIFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,977, dated April 5, 1898. Application filed October 21, 1896. Serial No. 609,584. (No model.)

. York, have invent-ed a new and useful Bicyole-Canopy, of which the following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to canopies for bicycles and similar vehicles; and the object in view is to provide a simple, light, and compact canopy which may be ap'pliedyto any ordinary safety-bicycle either for gentlemens or ladies use, which may be adjusted as to its height, and which may be taken apart and folded compactly, enabling the same to be strapped tothe machine-frame and carried thereon without interfering with the rider.

To the above end'the invention consists in an improved canopy for bicycles, &c., embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in-the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the improved canopy applied to a bicycle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the front support of the canopy. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation showing the connection between the canopy and the drive-wheel axle as employed upon a gentlemans machine. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective View of one of the brackets shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the connection of the canopy with the drive-wheelaxle as employed in a ladys machine. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of-the attachingclips shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan .view of the canopy-top. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view showing the manner of connecting the canopy-top with the standards.-

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The improved canopy contemplated in this invention comprises four standards 1 and a top 2, detachably connected thereto. The

standards 1 are arranged in pairs, one pair being secured to the head of the machine and the other pair. to therea-r or drive wheel axle. The front pair of standards are connected to the head of themachine by means of spaced bracketsfi, the upper one of which is secured to the head-tube 4.11631 its upper end and made longer thanthe lower one, which is secured to the lower end of the head-tube, so

as to enable the front standards to extend outward vertically, as shown, thus leaving ample room for the turning of the handle-bar 5 in guiding the machine. Each of the brackets 3 comprises a transverse metal strip or bar 6, the opposite ends of which are bent around to 'form sockets 7 for the reception of the standards 1, the extremities being extended inward sufficiently to receive clampingscrews or other suitable fasteners 8, by tightening which the standards may be held fast andby loosening which the standards may beadjusted vertically for placing thecanopy-top at the desired elevation. Each bracket also comprises a rearwardly bowed or curved strip 9, to the center of which is secured a clip,10, shaped to embrace the head-tube 4 of the machine, the same being secured by means of a screw or other suitable fastener 11. As stated,

the brackets 3 are spaced apart vertically,

and they are held in fixed relation by means of X-braces 12 and also by vertical ties, strips, or rods 13. The braces and ties, strips, or rods 12 and 13 serve to partially closethe space between the strips 6 and form, in connection with the strips '6 and 9, a luggagecarrier in which parcels may be carried either while the canopy is in use or after the same has been detached from themachine.

The rear standards are connected to the machine-frame by means of triangular-shaped brackets 14., comprising a-horizontal portion 15, havinga socket 16 at its outer end, anginclined brace 17, having another socket 16 at its upper and outer end and connected at its'in ner and lower end to the inner end of the horizontal portion l5,and a substantially vertical portion 18, connecting the sockets 1,6. The sockets 16 are split like the forward sockets 7' and may be tightened or loosened on the standards by means of .screws 19 or their equivalent. Each bracket 14 is provided near its inner. lower corner with an opening 20,throu gh which passes one end of the drive-wheel axle, the bracket being secured. thereonby means of the end nut on such axle in a manner-that will be readily understood. It will thus be ICO seen that the rear standards, as well as the forward standards, may be adjusted up or down to bring the canopy-top in the desired elevation. The form of the bracket 14. leaves the step 21 unobstructed, so that it can be used, and the braces 17 prevent the lateral vibration of the rear standards.

l/Vhen the improved canopy is employed upon a ladys machine, the brackets 14: may be dispensed with and clips 22 substituted therefor. These clips consist each of a plate 23, having an opening for the reception of the drive-wheel axle and being secured thereon in the same manner as the brackets 14. The plate 23 extends a short distance above the axle, where it is extended to form a split socket 24 for one of the rear standards, said socket being supplied wit-l1 a clamping-screw 25. Just above the rear-wheel axle the rear stay 26, consisting of a metal strip having its opposite ends recurved and passed around the standards, the extremities being secured to the main body of the strip by means of screws 27 or their equivalent. The stay 26 takes the place of the braces 17 and gives lateral stiffness to the rear standards.

The canopy-top 2 may be composed of any suitable fabric, and the latter, which is preferably rectangular in shape,is supported upon cross-bows 28, connected pivotally at the point 29, where they intersect. These bows are shaped so as to give a convexity to the upper surface of the top, and being made preferably of wood or other suitable light material their extremities are reinforced by pieces of metal 30, which are bent around such extremities and secured in any convenient manner. Openings 31 are formed in the ends of the bows and in said reinforcing-pieces, the same being intended to receive the reduced upper ends of the standards 1, so that the ends of the bows will rest upon the shoulders 32. The fabric is provided with a surrounding marginal hem, through which extends a stay 33 of stout cord or other suitable material. At each corner of the top an eyelet-hole 3% is provided, which is also adapted to slip over the upper end of one of the standards, and fin ally the top is provided at each corner with a flexi-v ble loop 35, which is adapted to be pulled over the adjacent end of the bow and to be engaged under a pin or hook 36 on the standard near its upper end.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the canopy-top may be readily removed from the standards by disengaging the loops 35 and detaching the ends of the crossbows 28. This will allow the top 2 to be compactly folded by swinging the cross-bows into line with each other. The standards 1 may also be removed and bundled up together with the top 2,and the bundle may then be strapped to the top run or upper frame-bar of the machine for transportation. The supportingbrackets for the standards may be removed from the machine or allowed to remain thereon, the forward brackets, as above explained, forming a convenient luggage-carrier, which may be used either with or without the canopy.

As the brackets which support the standards are secured to parts of the frame which have no independent movement relatively to each other, but which, on the contrary, move in unison with each other, it is obvious that the canopy will maintain a fixed relative position to the seat and be effective for the purpose intended at all times when supported by the frame.

The standards 1 and cross-bows 28 are preferably composed of some light and tough wood, but it will of course be understood that any other material may be employed in their construction.

It will also be understood that the improved canopy above described is susceptible of changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A canopy for bicycles, &c., comprising four standards arranged in pairs at the front and rear thereof, a canopytop removably fitted upon the upper ends of said standards, one or more brackets for securin g the forward pair of standards to the head of the machine and permitting their vertical adjustment, and spaced brackets slidingly connected to the rear standards and adapted to be fitted upon the rear or drive wheel axle, substantially as described.

2. In a canopy for bicycles, etc, the combination with the canopy-top, of a pair of standards at the forward end of said top, verticallyspaced brackets adapted to be secured to the head of a bicycle and made of unequal size so as to hold said standards in vertical position, said brackets each consisting of a transverse strip or bar having its opposite ends provided with standard-sockets which hold the standards and admit of their vertical adjustment, a rearwardly-bowed strip or bar, and a clip connected to the central portion of the lastnamed bar and adapted to embrace the head of the bicycle, substantially as described.

3. An attachment for bicycles, 850., consistin g of a pair of brackets spaced apart vertically and connected by suitable braces, said brackets being adapted to be secured to the head of a bicycle and each comprising a transverse strip or bar having sockets at each end, a rearwardly bowed or curved strip or bow attached thereto, and a clip secured to the central portion of said curved bar and adapted to embrace the head of a bicycle, said attachment constituting both a luggage-carrier and a support for the spaced standards of a detachable canopy, substantially as described.

4. In a bicycle-canopy consisting of a top and four supporting-standards, the combination with the rear standards, of attaching devices for securing the standards to the drive- Wheel axle, said attaching devices having openings to receive the ends of said axle and means connected to the machine-frame to support the forward standards, substantially as described.

5. In a canopy for bicycles &c., comprising a top and spaced front and rear standards, the combination with the rear standards, of spaced triangular-shaped brackets each having an opening to receive the drive-wheel axle and also provided with vertically-spaced sockets for the reception of said standards and means connected to the machine-frame to support the forward standards, substantially as described.

6. In a canopy for bicycles, 850., the combination with a series of standards, of a canopy-top removably fitted upon said standards and comprising cross-bows provided at their extremities with openings for the upper ends of the standards, a fabric covering for said bows, and flexible loops on said covering whereby the latter may be connected to the standards, substantially as described.

7. In a canopy for bicycles, &c., the combination with a series of standards having with openings, metal reinforcements folded over the ends of said cross-bows and also provided with openings to receive the ends of the standards, and a fabric covering for said bows provided at suitable points with loops for engaging pins or hooks on the standards, the canopy-top as a whole being removably 'fitted upon the standards, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES M. MOD ONALD.

' WVitnessesi 1 ADAM KUNS,

O. L. LINoonN. 

